The Barnes and Noble Nook Simple Touch With GlowLight is our new Editors' Choice for touch-based ebook readers, but that doesn't mean it's automatically right for you. Amazon, which pioneered the modern ebook reader with the Kindle in 2007, is now on its fourth generation of devices. But Barnes & Noble has established itself as a leader in this ever-expanding space with its Nook line.

While color tablets are getting a lot of buzz lately, and it's nice to be able to see ebooks in full color, colorless E Ink screens are a lot easier on your eyes and your device's battery. And the Nook Simple Touch With GlowLight just eradicated one of E Ink's downsides, letting you read it in the dark with the edge lighting turned on.

As always, the toughest thing about buying an ebook reader is the fact that you're essentially choosing an ecosystem right from the start. Once you do, and buy a bunch of digital books, it becomes incredibly difficult to switch manufacturers midstream. For example, if you're currently a Kindle owner, that new Nook with the GlowLight may be tempting. But if you buy one, you wouldn't be able to read any of your existing Kindle books—at least the ones you bought direct from Amazon.

Still, this is not to say that Amazon and Barnes & Noble are the only players on the ebook block. Check out our buying guide, How to Buy an Ebook Reader, for a look at ebook readers that go beyond the Kindle and the Nook, as well as our roundup of the Best Ebook Readers. But for more about all the current Kindle and Nook models, check out our reviews, linked below. Or check out the comparison chart below to compare key features for these devices side by side.

Note: We covered both the $149 Kindle Touch 3G and the $99 Kindle Touch in the same review. Aside from the lack of 3G and a slight weight reduction, the Kindle Touch is exactly the same, and would have received the same 4 star rating.

About the Author

Jamie Lendino is the Editor-in-Chief of ExtremeTech.com, and has written for PCMag.com and the print magazine since 2005. Recently, Jamie ran the consumer electronics and mobile teams at PCMag, and before that, he was the Editor-in-Chief of Smart Device Central, PCMag's dedicated smartphone site, for its entire three-year run from 2006 to 2009. Pri... See Full Bio

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